healthy party food

[kjaysmum]

Hi all, was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or recipes as I am planning a relatively additive free and organic kids party for Ds who will be three. Most of his mates are not that way orientated at home so I'm a tad worried they'll turn their noses up at what my Ds considers a treat. So far I have mini pizzas, sandwiches, home made sausages in sausage rolls, fruit dipped in chocolate, buscuits and cake...what do you think?

[Furball]

sounds great. usually healthy things like cherry tomatoes and carrot sticks get ignored. But as your food is party food I'd doubt the kids would even cotton on. Great stuff

[earlgrey]

All sounds lovely. Have you got anything crisp-like in your spread? But be warned, a lot of it will go on their plates and end up uneaten, nothing to do with them not considering it a treat. And I'm sure you know this but bring the cakes and biscuits out last. Good luck!

[seeker]

I would compromise and have white bread for the sandwiches (I'm assuming you're planning brown -I wonder what gave me that idea!) If you haven't made the sausage rolls yet, try making them as small as possible - ditto the pizzas. Kids usually love things they can eat in one bite -parties are too exciting of much chewing!
Have a lovely time!

[kjaysmum]

ok, good advice, thanks loads. I guess, apple juice or the like for drinks, my Ds drinks it highly watered down, do you think the other kids will go for that?

[earlgrey]

Water it down, put in in a jug, say 'Apple juice, anyone?'. They'll be none the wiser.

[Mojomummy]

I'm of the healthy eating brigade & for my DD's 3 rd birthday last year I put out homous, cucumber sticks, cherry toms, veggie frankfurters & garlic bread & pizza slices.

I also did watered down juice - no-one noticed - & I did bring out some crisps, but after they'd eaten the food above ( I forgot to bring them out & all the mums commented on what a good idea it was to leave them until later )

For dessert I made veggie jelly - always goes down well & then birthday cake.

Most of the time they are interested in the party bags afterwards !

[kjaysmum]

Did you buy the veggie jelly from the health food shop? I'm in New Zealand and can't seem to find any.

[UmSami]

All sounds great...for my ds's 1st birthday (kids were up to age 3) I did the same, but also home made breaded cod goujons (cod fillet, dipped in seasoned flour, then egg then bread crumbs, fried) - but hey they all disappeared and some of the kids were labelled as not liking fish.

I also made mini beef burgers (mince, onion, parsley, egg, pepper, mixed spice and a dollup tom puree or ketchup)

quiche went down well too (I bought it but obviously home made is better)...

I also scraped out a water melon and filled it with finger food sized pieces of fruit - it just looked more exciting that way and the older children at the party were itching to get their fingers into it...

It seems to me its all in the presentation...if its a bit different its exciting...

Annabel Karmel has a similar recipie to my fish and suggests serving it in a comic with chips to resemble old style fish and chips...how cool is that?

[UmSami]

oh and other ideas to go with hummous and vegi dip...

baby guacamole; Avacado, cream cheese or yoghurt (dependant on taste), tomato, corriander, lemon juice, and spring onions if they'l eat them.

greek yoghurt, grated cucumber and fresh mint (just home-made tzatziki)

went down well with carrot, celery, pepper sticks...

but beware...it seems to me that the fun in this is the mess they can make...you have to have a strong heart and an easy clean dining room LOL